Eating disorder therapy is a specialized approach aimed at assisting those who are grappling with a range of eating disorders. These disorders are significant mental health conditions characterized by irregular or unhealthy eating patterns and an intense focus on body weight and shape. Common conditions addressed in Eating disorder therapy include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
At Thriveworks, Eating disorder therapy begins with a thorough assessment and personalized treatment plan. Central to eating disorder therapy is psychotherapy, often employing cognitive behavioral therapy and other specialized techniques to target negative thought patterns.
CBT’s remission rate, according to some research, is generally between 50-30% for those seeking assistance for eating disorder symptoms.
The recovery rate for those seeking assistance with eating disorders depends entirely on the individual’s involvement in sessions, the severity of their symptoms, and their willingness to change their eating habits and relationship with food.
Anorexia and Bulimia are two eating disorders that are on the opposite ends of a scale; with anorexia you feel the need to avoid eating to reach a certain weight, with bulimia you feel that you can never eat enough, but end up throwing up all that food back out when you purge.
Don’t underestimate the ill effects of these eating disorders; they have a way of becoming problems when you least expect them to. They are also silent killers. Diseases like stroke, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension are only some of the illnesses you risk if you don’t get enough nutrients. Even the simple act of purging constitutes danger as you can choke on your own vomit.
Those suffering from eating disorders also tend to enter a non-ending cycle of guilt, shame, and depression. Many of those trapped in this vicious cycle don’t know where to turn. Fortunately, therapy has proven to be an effective treatment method for both types of eating disorders. To work with an eating disorder therapist at Thriveworks Pittsburgh, please give us a call. We are here to help you.
Symptoms of Eating Disorders
If you suspect that you or someone you love is suffering from an eating disorder, what signs are most telling?
- Obsession over one’s weight
- Depression and anxiety
- Feeling guilt or shame after eating
- Fixation over how he/she or others view his/her body image
- Episodes of binge eating followed by purging or totally avoiding having to eat
Causes of Anorexia and Bulimia
What are the causes of anorexia and bulimia? People have always thought the reasons behind them were only low self-esteem and obsession over the body image. However, studies show these reasons to be even more complex than that.
- Genetics – Your genes themselves can be a reason for these disorders. If at least one member of your family suffers from them you are 12 times likely to also develop them.
- Mental Health – These issues can contribute to anorexia or bulimia risks. A classic symptom of depression is total obsession with or complete revulsion of food. However, it should also be mentioned that you can have depressive symptom not related to eating disorders at all.
- Traumatic Experiences – Eating disorders can also be caused by traumatic experiences. This includes those involving not just physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; even experiences that caused guilt, shame, or tore down confidence can also be blamed.
- Environmental Factors – Easy availability of products like diet pills and weight-loss pills can also lead to eating disorders, as well as living in an environmental rife with peer pressure or where you are expected to conform to certain beauty standards.
Schedule an Eating Disorder Therapy Appointment at Thriveworks Pittsburgh
Struggling with an eating disorder can be tough, especially if you don’t know where to turn or feel like no one can help you. We’re here to tell you that there is help available and you’re in the right place. Thriveworks Pittsburgh, PA has eating disorder therapists on staff. They specialize in helping people through anorexia, bulimia, and other harmful eating disorders.
It’s up to you to take that first step in fighting the problem. Get in touch with us. We have counselors who can provide you with the professional, emotional, and reliable support you need to get through this challenge.
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